HYBrain, as Bacolod-based startup, is investing heavily in solving the Philippine healthcare industry’s biggest challenges through software and technology and is pitching to the worldwide network in Toronto. Some of the speakers for this year are Michelle Obama, Guy Kawasaki, and Astronaut Chris Hadfield. As Canada’s leading tech and innovation festival, Elevate attracts the biggest and brightest leaders shaping the world today.

From the Visayan Daily Star

The Philippines’ digital innovation is slowly getting recognized in the global market, an executive of a Bacolod City-based start-up firm HYBrain said yesterday.

John Dave Dueñas, chief executive officer of HYBrain, was among the Philippine delegation led by Undersecretary Rowel Barba of the Department of Trade and Industry, who are attending a conference on digital transformation, dubbed as “Elevate”, in Toronto, Canada from September 20 to 26.

He said this is the first time for the Philippines to have a delegation in the global conference that has been running for three years.

“We haven’t been invited yet. And for the first time, I think with our movement in the global innovation index, we are getting the attention that we deserve in terms of what we can contribute to help solve societal problems through innovation,” he said.

He added that the Filipinos were also recognized during the Canada House meeting at the opening day.

Dueñas said the conference will be a good barometer in looking at the Canadian market for outsourcing services and best practices in terms of digital transformation. He added that the Canadian government is also opening its doors to collaboration and competitive advantage.

He said Toronto Mayor John Tory speaks highly of Filipinos being among the leading immigrants in Canada, adding that Canadian officials said Filipinos are highly intellectual, highly-skilled, and have cheered for their team, Toronto Raptors, in the National Basketball Association.

He said that when he returns home, he will talk to local officials “on how we can maximize the benefits of the proposed Innovative Startup bill.*MPE

Toronto Mayor John Tory (left) and John Dave Dueñas, chief executive officer of HYBrain, in a digital transformation conference in Canada*